Food Waste Behavior of Muslim Households in Bandung City

Abstract

Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population globally, ranks as the second-largest contributor to food loss and waste worldwide. Within this context, household consumption emerges as the predominant source of food waste in the country. For Muslims, Islamic teachings offer a philosophical framework in which consumption transcends the mere fulfillment of needs and the pursuit of satisfaction; it is regarded as a function of utility and benefit. Consequently, Islamic doctrines strictly prohibit wastefulness (isrāf) and extravagant behavior (tabdhīr) in consumption. This study seeks to examine the determinants of food waste behavior among Muslim households in Bandung City, with an emphasis on the environmental, health, social, and eco-nomic repercussions of such waste. The relevance of this research lies in its potential to inform and contribute to the formulation of policies aimed at mitigating and managing food waste in the future. Additionally, this study serves as a foundational analysis for initiatives designed to curtail food waste behavior, aligning with the objectives outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research adopts a quantitative methodology to investigate factors such as income, generosity, routine shopping habits, consumer awareness, consumption patterns, religious norms, and religiosity, which may influence household food waste behavior. The analysis is conducted using the structural equation modelling (SEM) approach. Data were collected from a sample of 348 Muslim households in Bandung mm. Conversely, variables such as demographics, religiosity, generosity, and religious norms were found to have no statistically significant effect on food waste.